Iran/Iraq: Earthquake - Nov 2017

Glide: EQ-2017-000165-IRN

Overview

Iran
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit Kermanshah Province, western Iran, on [12 October 2017], has so far claimed at least 407 lives and injured over 6,700 others. The epicenter of the quake was registered at 34.86 degrees latitude and 45.9 degrees longitude, at the depth of 11km, a shallow depth that can cause tremendous damage, in Ozgoleh region in Kermanshah Province. The huge jolt, which rocked western provinces of Iran and areas in the eastern Iraq, was also felt as far as Persian Gulf states Qatar and Kuwait in the south, the Occupied Palestine in the west, and Turkey in the north of the quake-stricken Iran and Iraq. It caused the biggest damage in Kermanshah, Qasr-e Shirin and Sarpol-e Zahab (about 15km from the Iraqi border) cities. (IRNA, 13 Nov 2017)

The deaths toll of the quake in the western part of Iran on Sunday Nov.12, 2017 remains the same as 436 with 7,817 injured. Sheltering emergency phase has been totally completed in affected cities and villages. So far, 664 aftershocks in Kermanshah have been registered, the biggest of which is 4.7 on the Richter scale. (Iranian Red Crescent, 19 Nov 2017)

Iraq
On 12 November 2017 at 21:18 local time (18:18 UTC) northeast Iraq experienced an earthquake in the magnitude of approximately 7.2 – 7.5, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). The epicenter of this earthquake is located 32kms from the city of Halabja...There have been six reported fatalities and over 500 people injured in Iraq as a result of the earthquake. According to reports, four fatalities and approximately 80 injuries have occurred in Darbandikhan, including two critical injuries. Initial reports suggest the Darbandikhan area has been most severely impacted...The Mosul Dam is reportedly undamaged. However, the Darbandikhan Dam, a multi-purpose embankment on the Diyala river, is being assessed for damage today by the Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR), as local sources report that the dam was impacted by the landslides that that pushed heavy rocks and rubble onto the dam’s spillway. (OCHA, 13 Nov 2017)

According to national authorities, close to 10,000 people were injured, including 550 in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KR-I), as a result of the earthquake. In KRI, all critical cases were referred to Sulaymaniyah hospital, which is functioning. Humanitarian partners immediately sent medical staff, material, tents, and ambulances to support local capacity onsite. A joint damage and needs assessment mission was conducted by humanitarian partners including UNHCR on the day after in order to inform provision of assistance to the most vulnerable families in Sulaymaniyah. The KRG reports that the situation is now stable. The government is providing food, shelter and medical assistance, with the support of humanitarian actors. Approximately 1,840,000 people live with within 100 kilometres of the epicentre in both Iraq and Iran. (UNHCR, 20 Nov 2017)

In Iraq, a total of 108 school buildings were damaged, six of them badly. UNICEF will deliver 52 temporary learning spaces to affected communities to support continuation of education for over 3,800 students while more comprehensive repairs commence. Immediate WASH needs in affected areas are being met by the government, with UNICEF and WASH partners on standby. (UNICEF, 30 Nov 2017)